It was well into the evening, everyone had a glass full of some other drink. Everyone besides Elphaba.
"Oh Elphie, maybe try a little of mine? Just a wee sip? What would be the harm."
Galinda had asked, politely. She looked down at her drink, and swished it before taking a small gulp.
"I'm fine Galinda, thank you."
"OHHH, so our Miss Elphaba here is too scared to take a drink?"
"Avaric, stop-"
"What's the hurry, really really, I was making a point. An opinion, as it were."
"Well your opinion, isn't what's bothering me."
Elphaba growled, straightening her back and bending forward. She gripped the sides of the table and stared dead into Avaric's gaze.
"What's bothering me, is you."
He blew a kiss at her. She threatened to slap him.
"Would you two calm down? We're here to enjoy ourselves. Elphie, have a sip."
"No, Galinda."
"Please?"
"I said no."
"You're no fun."
"Who ever said I was any fun?"
"No one. But you could change that."
Elphaba scoffed.
"By taking a sip of my drink."
"That stuff doesn't agree with me- Boq, how are things?"
She hoped to change the subject. Boq, staring at Galinda whilst taking gulps from his drink, was caught off guard.
"Me? Me? How are things? Things are fine, I guess."
"Good. Good, that's good."
Silence.
"Boq."
"Yes Elphaba?"
"You seem to have your gaze fixated on our lovely Miss Galinda here."
"What she says is true. Miss Galinda, you are my everything, my haze over the moonlight, my-"
"Save it for poetry class Boq."
His face fell, as Galinda had: Stopped him short. Embarrassed, but not giving up, the Munchkin boy cleared his throat and pressed on.
"I would never want to waste such a top-notch piece on poetry class. For you, my love, are far more important."
"You're drunk."
"I may be, and that may count why I have the courage to talk to you. So upfront like this."
"Well, this is making my stomach churn so I think it's time to end this little romance."
Elphaba huffed.
"Yes. Yes I must say Miss Elphaba, you do look rather green."
Avaric let out a howl of laughter. It roared.
"Shut up. Where's Fiyero?"
"Fiyero?"
"Yes, he hasn't been here. Where is he, do you know Galinda?"
"I think he might've gone to the bathroom... Why? Why do you worry so much?"
"Ooooooooh! Looks like somebody has a little crush on our Princeboy?"
Crope and Tibbit submitted to whoops of laughter, which had turned into giggles and then they were wrestling one another. Elphaba just sat there, frigid.
"No. No that's not it at all- I'm just worried. Concerned. It's alright to be concerned."
"There's no need however... He'll be back shortly. He didn't leave or anything."
Elphaba brought her gaze to look at Galinda, who's expression was sincere and thoughtful.
"You're right."
The green girl slowly began to nod.
"You're absolutely right... He's fine, it's nothing."
She kept telling her, yet it sounded more like she was telling herself. Over and over.
"What has gotten into you? You really need to calm down and take a sip. Come on Elphie, you're shaking."
"Fine..."
The young woman took a small sip in hopes to calm her nerves. Yet, the taste stung her throat and jolted her into hysterics.
"Looks like our green stalk doesn't take alcohol very well."
Still coughing, her cheeks turning red from exhaustion, Elphaba shot a look at Avaric.
"I told you all that this doesn't agree with me."
"Oh Elphie, I'm sorry.. You don't have to drink anymore tonight."
"I wasn't planning to anyway."
A silence dwelled over them. The air became stiff and uncomfortable. Boq twiddled his thumbs.
"So, Fiyero should be back by now.."
"Great, now Munchkinboy has a crush on the Prince-"
"I DO NOT. It's just, a bit awkward right now and-"
Boq was cut off by the sound of a mic being plugged in, it's intolerable shriek rang the ears of those who sat at the bar. The group turned around in time to catch a glimpse of a table being lit up by a spotlight that hang overheard, and a stenciled figure that had suddenly popped into view. It was when the figure pointed directly at Elphaba over the heads of people and whispered, "This one's for you" into the microphone, that the green girl's eyes widened and she completely lost her shit.
"This one's dedicated to my girl, ELPHABAAAAA! I love you babe!"
"What the fuck is Fiyero doing up there?!"
"Don't cover your eyes! The show's 'bout to begin!"
"Galinda, I don't want to watch him dedicate a song to me..."
She growled, her cheeks flushing red.
"What if it's romantic?"
"SHE'S AS GREEN AS A CABBAGE!"
"I was wrong."
The group continued to watch, as a very drunken Fiyero sang his lungs out, the microphone gripped tightly and the beads of sweat already dripping down to his chin.
"He's not even singing a real song..."
"I think it's sweet."
"Are you kidding me?! We aren't even dating and he decides to come up with this!"
She groaned, and nearly banged her head on the table. The entire restaurant full of people were cheering for the young man, occasionally stealing glances over their shoulder to see the reactions of Elphaba. The girl he claimed to love.
"I can't deal with this..."
Then, just as suddenly as it had begun, it stopped. The singing, had ceased.
"It's over?-"
Yet she spoke too soon.
"Nope, now he's singing opera."
Galinda giggled. Elphaba watched in horror. She couldn't do this. She couldn't do this, but maybe...
"Avaric, hand me your drink."
"Last time I checked alcohol didn't agree with you-"
"Now."
He obeyed. She swallowed the entire mug in one swig.
"Damn!"
"No time for that, give me yours Boq."
Without any questions, Elphaba took everyone's drink and downed it. Fiyero's obnoxious singing still rang in the background, yet with every round she seemed to mind it less. She was intoxicated for sure, her head buzzed and her legs throbbed.
"Don't stand up Elphie, you might fall."
"Shut up, I'm fine."
They all turned their heads back to the Prince.
"Let's get all serious for a moment."
The entire house quieted down. Fiyero wiped the sweat off his face and took a deep breath before speaking again.
"My girl, Elphaba Thropp, I'm pretty sure she hates me. She calls me Princeboy, a lot. And um, I let her. Sort of. 'Cause I kinda have a thing for her... I know she's green. But, that doesn't do anything. Not to me. So... I know I haven't got a brain or some, but, Elphaba Thropp... Any guy would be stupid to not be able to see what I see. A beautiful, smart, compassionate-"
"YEAH I'M GONNA FUCK HIM TONIGHT!"
"Shhh Elphie!"
Galinda hissed.
"I apologize, for uh, her."
The crowd howled in laughter. Fiyero smiled goofily.
"Um... Okay."
He laughed nervously and averted his eyes to someplace else.
"That's... That's all I have to say-"
He was interrupted, however, by Elphaba making her sloppy way over to where he stood atop of the table. Not by walking. By dancing. Salsa dancing. The restaurant howled and whooped, while the green girl's head buzzed. Her eyes went out of focus yet her feet never stopped from underneath her.
"Elphaba... Um.."
Yet the young man was silenced, as the intoxicated female made her way over, only to slip and hit her head on the side of the platform. Results, she passed out on the floor. This earned hisses from the crowd as they had felt her pain. Fiyero looked alarmed and quickly jumped off the mini stage to help her up, Galinda came rushing over to grab hold of her as well. Once they began to lug her out the bar, Elphaba had a smile etched on her face, as she felt the strong protective arms of Fiyero supporting her head.